Sunday 10 September

Calling all visionary insight professionals! We're giving 24 people (masked) data, computers, a room to hack, refreshment and a few mentors. All you need to do is hack at the data and create a winning brand strategy for one of three leading device brands!

Sunday and Monday you'll be hacking, Tuesday your team will need to present in The Dome in Exhibition Park A and then the winning team will receive their prize live on ESOMAR TV that afternoon. Join the Research Hackathon at the 70th ESOMAR Congress and let's create a truly visionary brand strategy #GLHF.

Q: What kind of data analytical skills are needed?A: An ability for team members to use Excel and R is ideal. Final presentation should be in Powerpoint.

Q: What experience level is this for?A: The goal of the hackathon is to leverage multiple data types to generate brand strategy insights, which we believe is something that insights professionals at a variety of experience levels and career stages can accomplish.

YES (Young ESOMAR Society) Pitch Competitionroom2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

11 young researchers take centre stage at the Congress to wow us with their pitches – and they only have 60 seconds! Attendees will vote for the best pitcher, who will then be invited back on stage Tuesday to share their ideas in a longer presentation

Sponsor fast trackHow can I help your business?room2BLUE stage

Networking break

10:40 - 11:00

10:4011:00

START-UP PANEL | How data, research and insights elevated the next generation of start-upsKey discoveries and insights from ESOMAR’s start-up Research RallyFinn Raben [ESOMAR Director General]room2The Dome

Walk the talk! Transforming the CMI department from being tool, data and methodology focused towards being (internal) customer oriented - increasing customer power and sparking outside-in thinking within Air France KLM.

Not unlike Hollywood, a young Marketing professional and a Market Researcher meet, fall in love and get married. However rather than a movie, this real life couple head instead to the ESOMAR stage to present their different perspectives (and prejudices) on marketing and research.

Youth In Flux examines the new reality of youth around the world, their individual and collective goals, and the life strategies they use to survive and thrive in a difficult world. Learn how a highly collaborative process between client, agency and youth helped uncover fresh and powerful insights.

Microsoft needed to accurately identify their prime target of developers. Their solution lies at the intersection of Consumer and B2B research. Learn why Microsoft needed to use one to figure out the other, while exploring secondary data sets.

The media storm clouds are gathering around the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) focusing on breaches, fines and the lack of preparation on the part of businesses. You likely know what the GDPR is, but do you know how it will actually affect your organisation and your day-to-day work? Come and learn the facts about what the GDPR is, what your obligations are, what you need to do to be prepared and how GDPR compliance can be a business enabler.

This presentation will include practical guidance presented in the form of a case study – showing how Cint, a global research and insights technology provider, is addressing GDPR compliance and leveraging it for business enablement on a global basis.

90% of the core activities of market research will be automated. Design, Interpretation, Guidance and Trust will typify the Market Research Profession. This provocative session is highly relevant for researchers hoping to be successful in 2027.

Chairman, SKIM, Netherlands

Managing Director, SKIM, Netherlands

Research Manager, SKIM, Netherlands

Research Manager, SKIM, United Kingdom

11:55 - 12:20

11:5512:20

SPONSORED | Social Media MatineeHow video keeps consumers and stakeholders on the edge of their seatsZoe Dowling [FocusVision]room2GREEN stage

room2GREEN stage

Sponsored presentation offered by FocusVision

Video is a key channel for brands in creating engaging content, but who is sharing what, and why? FocusVision share the results of a new study that explores the impact of video content for brands, and how they can tailor their video for certain demographic targets. The presentation will also explore how researchers can use video to enhance their studies and engage stakeholders using video to communicate insights.

Lead Research Strategist, FocusVision, United Kingdom

Sponsored presentation

12:20 - 12:50

12:2012:50

Battle for the BrainPeople exploration in the year 2087Cynthia Miller [Braun Research]room2GREEN stage

room2GREEN stage

Through the mirror, back to the past, and into the future...market research, people exploration, brainwaves and the year 2087: A short story for a world of uncertainty.

Growth Tribe will show you how to apply a growth process and mindset and explain its importance in the ever changing world of Digital Marketing - stay tuned for insights into the future of AI & Marketing also!

Based on an in-depth analysis of what 'life' means to Brazilians, we changed the life insurance industry: instead of compensating death, we created a new equation value to reward those who want to live more and live better.

Imagine a future where children future-proof innovation ideas targeted at adults; where consumers become researchers; where research participation rivals the popularity of Pokémon Go... experience a visionary insights future that is INSIDE OUT!

The Market Research industry has always been impacted by technology trends, which effects how data has been processed and how insights have been communicated. Recently, some new trends have emerged, and they are going have an enormous influence on how organizations work, interact, communicate, and collaborate with data in the future. Trends such as automated survey designs, self-service data discovery, mobile insights-to-go, real time and predictive analytics, infographic storytelling, virtual reality and artificial intelligence will influence organization’s strategies, operations, and investments for information. Which of these trends will have the greatest impact on the Market Research industry? What does our world look like in 5, 10, and 20 years from now? Learn how we can take advantage of these innovations today and add value to our research designs and processes.

Machine learning is a concept that has long been applied to many industries that need to use predictive data, and has been used for some time in the online advertising industry. The survey research industry is ideally suited to benefit from machine learning for many reasons. The most pressing of which is to lessen respondent burden. We’ll share the success we’ve had by applying machine-based learning, and explore other ways we can gather data to improve insight generation including permission-based digital tracking, all with an eye on improving insight and removing the reliance on respondents.

Networking break

in2motivation take you on a journey on how you can simplify leadership through flexibility in emotions.

Owner, In2motivation, Netherlands

Motivational talk

Break-out session:Corporate YES AwardThe Corporate Young ESOMAR Society Award is an initiative where young professionals, working for an ESOMAR key corporate member company, showcase and are recognised for outstanding, new and creative research focused on today's most challenging global issu

16:35 - 16:45

16:3516:45

IntroductionNiels Schillewaert [ESOMAR President]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

Session chairESOMAR President

16:45 - 16:55

16:4516:55

Feel More, Click MoreJocelyn Simon [System1 Research]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

Associate Vice President - Northeast US and Canada, System1 Research, United States

Every time we try to predict the future, we naively try to imagine it from our point of view: with a lineal understanding of time as past-present-future. However, we’ve found out that sometimes our future is not within our own timeline but in someone else’s, and even in the present or past of other brands and categories. That’s why we worked with both research inputs and outputs in order to move from guessing the future to designing it.

Ana Paola Rodríguez, De La Riva Group, Mexico

Business and Marketing Planner, De La Riva Group, Mexico

Manager of Syndicated Studies, De La Riva Group, Mexico

17:50 - 18:00

17:5018:00

Discussionroom2PINK stage

Break-out session:Business Vision | Transformation From Within

16:45 - 16:50

16:4516:50

IntroductionEls Molenaar [Blooming-org]room2GREEN stage

room2GREEN stage

Session chairOwner, Blooming-org, Netherlands

16:50 - 17:10

16:5017:10

Are You Insured Scarlett? ‘I Can’t Think About That Right Now... I’ll Think About That Tomorrow.’How MetLife imagined a new future for the insurance industry… and is delivering it todayAdam Riley [Decision Architects]; Carlos Fonseca [MetLife]; David Smith [DVL Smith]room2GREEN stage

room2GREEN stage

We show how to convert a vision into a transformational strategy that reinvents your relationship with customers. We'll demonstrate, via a major global insurance provider case study, an approach to embedding visionary change in any organisation.

Join us and our Corporate Member Heineken to toast our 70th birthday on the rooftop of the iconic Heineken Experience as we discuss the day’s content, meet new contacts and enjoy an evening of celebration, bitterballen (famous Dutch snack) and complimentary Heineken on tap (wine and soft drinks also provided).

IntroductionTill Winkler [SKOPOS]room2PINK stage

Alice in CustomerlandWhy the future of customer experience research will be more human-centeredRichard Bordenave [BVA]room2PINK stage

room2PINK stage

Year 2027: customers are now craving more human care in data driven customer journeys. Envision how "augmented" research will take up the challenge through an imaginary discussion between a CX researcher and his virtual AI assistant, Alice.

Discussionroom2PINK stage

09:55 - 10:20

09:5510:20

SPONSORED | Behind the Automation CurtainImproving research through smart planning and executionroom2PINK stage

room2PINK stage

Sponsored presentation offered by Research Now

Hear what we've gleaned from working with clients on automating various elements of the research process. We'll let you behind the curtain, candidly showing you what to do – and what not to do – all in the name of making your automation journey smoother and more successful.

It's said that 95% of all purchasing decisions are not made consciously. In other words, brands that evoke our emotions always win. When it comes to designing a content-marketing campaign, there's no such thing as a bad emotion! We'll show you why...

Designing lasting change; How Rotary International uses research to change people's lives around the world.

Uri Farkas, GfK Custom Research, USA

Manager Research And Evaluation, Rotary International, United States

Vice President, Consulting, GfK Custom Research, United States

Chief Strategy Officer, Rotary International, United States

09:45 - 10:05

09:4510:05

Transforming LGBT Opponents into AlliesHow research guided program strategy and the behaviour and attitudinal shift that resulted from itDany Vinh [TNS]; Layhour Sao [TNS]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

Are homosexuals/LGBT people discriminated in your country? Why are opponents' beliefs so deeply rooted? In Cambodia, we learned effective behaviour change solutions that can transform LGBT opponents into allies. Learn how.

Senior Research Manager, TNS, Cambodia

Senior Research Executive, TNS, Cambodia

10:05 - 10:20

10:0510:20

Discussionroom2BLUE stage

10:20 - 10:35

10:2010:35

Defence PreferencesIn case of a military threat to your country... which nation would you call for help?Kancho Stoychev [Gallup International Association]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

President, Gallup International Association, Bulgaria

Announcement

10:35 - 11:05

10:3511:05

TECH | Create powerful beats together in VRroom2The Dome

room2The Dome

Is it a musical instrument? Is it a game? Actually, it's both. Block Rocking Beats show you the future of VR - prepare to get seriously hooked...

Sander Neek, Creator, Block Rocking Beats, The Netherlands

Technology

10:35 - 11:05

10:3511:05

Networking break

Break-out session:ESOMAR Foundation | Visions Of A Better World“This is the people's agenda, a plan of action for ending poverty in all its dimensions, irreversibly, everywhere, and leaving no one behind,” said Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general, at the launch of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's).

Making the World a Better PlaceHow market research can help the world ‘leave no one behind’

It’s now 2030 and the market research community is justly proud of the very valuable contribution it has made to the achievement of those Global Goals…

Session chairESOMAR Foundation President

11:10 - 11:20

11:1011:20

From Village to Virtual RealityHow behavioural research has transformed the Red Alert approach to prevention of sex-trafficking in IndiaHannah Surabhi [My Choices Foundation]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

My Choices Foundation exists to give women and girls in India the choice to live lives free from abuse, violence and exploitation. It does this by addressing two of India’s most pervasive and intractable issues: Domestic Violence and Sex Trafficking. Their anti sex-trafficking work through Operation Red Alert is leading the prevention movement in India, and has become an international pioneer in its technology-driven approach. The presentation will cover how My Choices is applying the findings from their research (that employed learnings from cognitive neuroscience and behavioural economics) to understand and influence the behaviour of families at high risk to sex-trafficking.

Marketing and Communications Director, My Choices Foundation, India

11:20 - 11:30

11:2011:30

Using Qualitative Research to Develop and Understand the Impact of Media Content in Difficult ContextsAfghanistan, South Sudan and SomaliaSonia Whitehead [BBC Media Action]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international development charity who use the power of media and communication to help reduce poverty and support people in understanding their rights. Sonia Whitehead will summarise how they have used qualitative research to both inform the development of TV and Radio programmes and understand their impact. Work will be presented from countries such as Ethiopia, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Somalia.

StreetInvest is a global charity that exists to improve the lives of street children. StreetInvest believes that participatory research and data collection are an integral part of developing successful programmes on the ground and national and international policies and legislation. StreetInvest and Video Analytics Company, Big Sofa, will share how they have used rich qualitative video data from ethnographic research, to generate insights into this marginalised and often invisible population, and how they hope to go beyond informing stakeholders, to influencing change in the way interventions are designed.

Consultant, Big Sofa, United Kingdom

Impact and Communications Manager, StreetInvest, United Kingdom

11:40 - 11:50

11:4011:50

Paragon Partnership with Save the Children UKEarly progresses and lessonsAlexis Nestour [Save the Children]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

The Paragon partnership connects market research agencies with NGOs to provide support on research. Paragon is supporting Save the Children UK in its research on adolescent girl nutrition and child marriage in Western and Central Africa. The presentation will provide more details about the progresses made and how it complements the type of research done by SCUK. Lessons for NGOs and market research agencies that wish to engage in common research project will be discussed.

- What can the MR Industry do to achieve this vision- How can we better use the data we already have and the surveys we do- How can we promote and demonstrate the value of Qualitative and Ethnographic data to Donors and Policy Makers- How can we mobilise our experts and energetic young researchers- How can we really make a difference?

Using a combination of Image Mining and Text Analytics to decipher relative strength of fast growing Italian designer furniture brand vis-a-vis the competition and also to strategize its future brand positioning.

NOMINATED FOR ESOMAR AWARD FOR BEST PAPER OVERALL

Brand Manager, Arper SPA, Italy

Data Science Director, Kantar, United Kingdom

12:20 - 12:35

12:2012:35

Discussionroom2PINK stage

Break-out session:Catalytic Converters

11:15 - 11:20

11:1511:20

IntroductionTill Winkler [SKOPOS]room2GREEN stage

room2GREEN stage

Session chairSenior Research Manager, SKOPOS, Germany

11:20 - 11:40

11:2011:40

It Takes Many Notes to Make a SymphonyThe power of data cross pollinationRitanbara Mundrey [Nestlé]room2GREEN stage

room2GREEN stage

We are in an age of data carpet bombing. Businesses are staggering with the flow of industry updates, investor reports, retail audits, sales dashboards, brand tracks, social listening ad nauseam. The data is intended to empower, yet it overwhelms. Enter Consumer Insight Managers.

Head Consumer and Customer Research, Nestlé, India

11:40 - 12:00

11:4012:00

How the IoT Will Save the PlanetChanging energy consumption behaviour: an assessment using IoT data and econometric modellingLaurent Florès [SLPV-Analytics]room2GREEN stage

room2GREEN stage

Yes, we can save energy by rolling out smart meters. This can be proven scientifically, using the whole array of old and new data science techniques: sampling, imputation of missing values, bayesian modelling, random forests and algorithms. How do big brand research departments learn to bottle valuable insights from the tidal wave of consumer data.

Science showed that 70% of communication is about its creative content not marketing power. Traditional research however measures just rational requirements. This presentation is a call-to-action - a call to combine all research and analysis sources in order to create actionable outcomes.

Virtual research at real scale. This presentation moves virtual reality beyond 'proof of concept' and into real shopper insight with a 500-person sample and a powerful testing case study. Learn how to bring the virtual to life!

IntroductionRia Dierikx [Philips International]room2GREEN stage

Math and MagicHow AOL Works with VoxPopMe to Amplify Research through Video StorytellingDave Carruthers [Voxpopme]; Denise Brien [AOL]room2GREEN stage

room2GREEN stage

Finding & sharing voices in a data-driven world... Join us to see how AOL amplifies research through video storytelling to increase stakeholder engagement and leave with the blueprint for integrating traditional and emerging research methods.

By embracing digital technology, Orange provides decentralised data access to democratise more cost-effective, in-depth and timely insights. This elevates the research impact on decision-making, maximising its relevance to their business.

Executive Director, Infotools, New Zealand

Research Director - Brand & CX, Orange, United Kingdom

14:35 - 14:45

14:3514:45

Discussionroom2GREEN stage

14:45 - 15:15

14:4515:15

SPONSORED | John Wanamaker…we now know which 50% of advertising is wastedJackie Lorch [SSI]room2GREEN stage

room2GREEN stage

Sponsored presentation offered by SSI

Famous for the quote "half my advertising is wasted, I just don't know which half”, John Wanamaker would be concerned that over 50% of online ads served are not seen by anyone. Many of the rest are not seen by their intended audience – and some major advertisers are reassessing their digital ad budgets. We explain how brands and marketers can use campaign optimization data and insights to determine who’s really seeing their digital ads, and how those people are reacting to them. And we answer the most commonly-asked questions about this approach.

VP, SSI, United States

Sponsored presentation

15:15 - 15:55

15:1515:55

Networking break

Let's Celebrate!

15:55 - 16:00

15:5516:00

IntroductionFinn Raben [ESOMAR Director General]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

Session chairESOMAR Director General

16:00 - 16:10

16:0016:10

Winner of the #YES (Young ESOMAR Society) Competitionroom2BLUE stage

This award highlights best practice in effectiveness from around the world, placing particular emphasis on how research affects performance in a measurable way. The award is designed to illustrate the value that research brings to decision making in both business and society.

Session chairESOMAR Director General

16:15 - 16:30

16:1516:30

Finalist | Greater Than the Sum of Its PartsUniting Marketing Research and Advanced Analytics to Increase ROI and Marketing EffectivenessKishore Krishna [Microsoft]; Michele Garner [Microsoft]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

This paper outlines an analytic program developed internally at Microsoft to drive greater insight on the return on investment of the $1+ billion marketing budget, resulting in a fundamental shift in planning and budgeting for marketing across the company: Built a flexible, systematic analytic program integrating survey data with other data to create a goal forecast for performance tracking and diagnosis of marketing impact. Provided insights on critical aspects on marketing spend and execution such as reductions in spend. Demonstrated ROI of the program on several dimensions such as impact improvement (6-10%), speed (75-80%) and cost savings (30-40%) driving change at Microsoft.

Senior Market Research / Advanced Analytics Expert, Microsoft, United States

Data and Applied Scientist, Customer & Market Research Team, Microsoft, United States

In 2011, New Zealand's student loan scheme faced an uncertain future. Government Ministers placed mounting pressure on Inland Revenue (IR) to rectify a rapidly growing debt problem caused by borrowers who had moved overseas and were not making loan repayments. Amidst a politically charged and fiscally challenging situation, IR partnered with Colmar Brunton to bring about behavioural change using a range of communication, operational and policy levers, each inspired by powerful research insights. The impact of the research and resulting initiatives is striking, with more than $389 million in additional payments made, a ROI of over 2000%, and strong community support for the actions taken.

Social Research Agency - Executive Director, Colmar Brunton, New Zealand

The Association of National Advertisers (ANA), and its subcommittee, the Alliance for Family Entertainment (AFE) launched #SEEHER, a movement to increase accurate portrayal of women and girls in media. Advertising and entertainment programming are a powerful solution to changing public perceptions about unconscious gender bias. With a goal of increasing accurate portrayal of women and girls in media 20% by 2020 the ANA/AFE created data to benchmark progress called GEM (Gender Equality Measure) ABX, an ANA/AFE research partner, developed metrics, utilizing ABX syndicated research, to implement GEM scores across media and entertainment, creating the accountability for change.

President, Advertising Benchmark Index, United States

Co-Executive Director, Association for National Advertising, United States

Chairman / CEO, Advertising Benchmark Index, United States

CEO, #SeeHer Movement, United States

17:00 - 17:10

17:0017:10

SSI Quest Awardsroom2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

The SSI Quest Awards encourage industry creativity and innovation in surveys that lead to high respondent satisfaction. Andy Jolls, Chief Marketing Officer at SSI, will present the 8th edition of the QUEST Awards.

Andy Jolls, SSI, USA

17:10 - 17:20

17:1017:20

Celebrating 80 yearsRaelene Martin [ICC]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

Highlighting the 80th anniversary of the Consolidated ICC Code on Responsible Marketing and Advertising Communications Practice. An overview will also be provided on the history of the ICC/ESOMAR Code and reflect on the recently revised edition, paving the way to a brief discussion on the current revision of the ICC Marketing Code.

Policy Executive, ICC, France

Announcement

17:15 - 17:55

17:1517:55

KEYNOTE | Dutch Culture Shock TherapyGregory Shapiroroom2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

Greg Shapiro is an American, who offers 'hyuge' insights into the new management at the White House. And he is now a Dutchman, who offers his own market research about the strange ways of Dutch culture. In dealing with the Dutch, you may get a culture shock. But if you work through it, you may realize the Dutch way is better than what you're used to. Shapiro calls it 'Dutch Culture Shock Therapy'.

Comedian, Columnist, Actor and Author, Netherlands

Keynote

19:00

19:00

Buses depart for ESOMAR 70th Birthday Party and Awards Show - ask at the registration desk for details of departure pointPlease be ready to go at 18:45!

This year we promised something different from our traditional sit down Awards Dinner evening... And we think we've done just that...Start your night with some drinks as you watch the very best of our industry awarded with a number of ESOMAR's prestigious awards. Then, prepare for the unexpected as an evening of food, drinks and entertainment is revealed.

Learn from HBO how to transform your market research into fun and engaging ongoing experiences for participants - while you unlock inspiring and actionable insights.

CEO, eCGlobal, United States

Director, Strategy and Programming analysis, HBO Latin America, United States

Project Manager & Marketing Specialist, eCGlobal, Venezuela

Senior Research Analyst, HBO Latin America, United States

09:40 - 10:00

09:4010:00

The Apprentice: The Real Winner in the BoardroomHow transforming research into a TV show can be a real game changerDaniel Tralman [Northstar Research]; James Livingston [Jaguar and Land Rover]; Rhiannon Price [Northstar Research]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

This is "The Apprentice" where 12 candidates across 3 countries battle it out to become the ultimate Jaguar Land Rover Target Customer and, in doing so, prove that using a TV show format in research is engaging, entertaining and hugely insightful.

Hear, see, touch & experience first-hand how the visionary insight & engagement 'chefs' at Chime Insight Engagement worked with Fitness First to take those raw ingredients and produced a truly actionable gourmet feast of actionability!

It's claimed we live in a post-truth age. Anyone with truth to convey, needs more than ever to do so in a way which resonates & engages. Medieval jesters & comedians alike have been prized for this ability: we must learn from these visionaries…

NOMINATED FOR ESOMAR AWARD FOR BEST PAPER OVERALL

Comedian, United Kingdom

Innovation Director, Kantar TNS, United Kingdom

10:40 - 11:10

10:4011:10

Networking break

The Past, Present And Future Of Polling

11:10 - 11:15

11:1011:15

IntroductionJohn Kearon [System1Group PLC]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

Session chairCEO, System1Group PLC, United Kingdom

11:15 - 11:35

11:1511:35

Are We Getting Worse at Political Polling?An analysis of 60 years of international polling dataJon Puleston [Lightspeed]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

The accuracy of polling has been under the serious spotlight over the last couple of years. This presentation will deliver some preliminary analysis from an international review of historical published polling data from 25 countries compiled by Kantar which will answer this question and also help market researcher understand better why polls don’t always predict election results.

How crossing data from Social networks, on-line community, and Polls with Public Opinion Platform 2017 initiative revealed striking insights.

Exec. Director Innovation & Marketing, BVA, France

President, WIN/Gallup International Association, Italy

11:55 - 12:05

11:5512:05

Discussionroom2BLUE stage

12:05 - 12:45

12:0512:45

KEYNOTE | My VisionTo be the youngest to sail solo around the worldLaura Dekker-Thielmannroom2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

At the age of 14 Laura Dekker-Thielmann set off on a journey to sail solo around the world, with the blessing of her parents but not of the Dutch government. She completed the journey when she was 16 years old which made her the youngest person to ever sail around the world singlehanded.

Laura speaks about how she made her biggest dream a reality and how ''Life is a journey, not a destination''.

Sailor, New Zealand

Keynote

Research Visions From The Client Side

12:45 - 12:50

12:4512:50

IntroductionNiels Schillewaert [ESOMAR President]room2BLUE stage

room2BLUE stage

Session chairESOMAR President

12:50 - 13:00

12:5013:00

Market Research from a Client PerspectiveUnderstanding the changing needs of marketersFabian Buder [GfK Verein]room2BLUE stage

Farewell drinks

Vanessa Oshima

General Manager Women's Category, Nike, Japan

Vanessa refuses to stand still. A person that believes tomorrow will be better than today because it is within our control to make it happen. She is full of curiosity and is not asking "why?" but "why not?" as she seeks to uncover insight that has true impact for the businesses she works with. Currently Vanessa is the General Manager for the Women's Category at Nike Japan and is responsible empowering Women in Japan by finding the intersection of Sport, Women and Japan in a meaningful and inspirational way that will drive the business and brand in a positive way.

Vanessa has over 20 years experience in researching and understanding the consumer. Prior to Nike, Vanessa worked at Coca-Cola Japan as Vice President of Strategy and Insight overseeing the end to end research process from future trends, to consumer behavior to financial ROI of Innovation and Marketing investments for marketing teams, sales teams and senior leadership.

She has a reputation for being visionary in the field of strategy and insights and unafraid of exploring the newer methodologies in an effort to be ever better. Vanessa has a strong passion for the end to end process of research. From Discovery Research (ethnographic, trend immersions, semiotics, segmentation) through to ROI related modelling.

A native New Zealander, Vanessa has lived in Japan for over 20 years. A Mother of two, marathon and breast cancer awareness charity runner, she personally and professionally works with the ethos that there is always a way to get things done!!! Every day she is trying to answer the questions of "WHAT is happening?-SO WHAT does this mean?- NOW WHAT am I going to do about it?".

Sessions:

Gregory Shapiro

Comedian, Columnist, Actor and Author, Netherlands

From Northwestern University (Chicago, USA), Gregory Shapiro came to the Netherlands in 1994 to help establish comedy theater Boom Chicago.

In 2007 Shapiro went solo presenting Comedy Central News. He's since worked with BNR Radio, Time Out Amsterdam and VARA Humor TV. Shapiro also has 20+ years experience in Corporate Speaking and Entertainment. Greg's Trump imitation is known around the world since the America First, Netherlands Second video went viral.

Shapiro currently produces, writes and hosts the United States of Europe (with Zoomin.tv) for his own YouTube channel. He is the founder and co-host of the Amsterdam Comedy Podcast. He finished touring with his 4th solo show Part-Time Hypocrite and released his second book How to be Dutch: The Quiz. His first book How to Be Orange: an Alternative Assimilation Course was an international success.

Sessions:

Laura Dekker-Thielmann

Sailor, New Zealand

Laura was born on the 20th of September 1995 in Whangarei, New Zealand during a seven year sailing trip with her parents.

Although Laura had been sailing alone since the age of 6, it was after a solo trip from Holland to England in May 2009 that made her determined to achieve and realize her biggest dream. To sail around the world solo.

The Dutch government thought differently about her plans though and a 10 month court battle began. In July 2010, custody over her was given back to her parents and her journey began on the 21st of August 2010. She successfully completed her solo circumnavigation in ''Guppy" her 38ft Ketch arriving in Saint Maarten on the 21st of January 2012.

After she finished her round the world trip, she kept sailing. She now lives in New Zealand aboard "Guppy" in the Whangarei harbour together with her Husband Daniel.

Sessions:

Alexis Fortune

Fund Manager, Ennismore Fund Management, United Kingdom

Alexis Fortune is a Fund Manager at Ennismore Fund Management, an investment fund based in London. We attempt to invest in great businesses at bargain prices, although it's easier said than done. We've had some success though, generating (gross) annual returns of nearly 20% over the last 18 years. Alexis likes to turn over rocks all around the world in his search for great businesses, and when he finds one and invests, he tends to stick around for many years.

Before joining Ennismore in 2012, Alexis worked at Bain Capital, a multi-billion dollar investment firm. There he mostly looked at businesses that had got themselves into trouble (distressed debt investing), while also exploring the public equity markets for opportunities.

Alexis has degrees in Economics and Finance from University College Dublin and The University of Oxford.

Sessions:

Steve Kretschmer

Managing Director, Surgo Foundation, Turkey

Steve Kretschmer, based in Istanbul, Turkey, is Managing Director at Surgo Foundation, an innovative Action Tank focused on generating transformational impact in intractable development challenges. Steve assembles and coordinates multi-disciplinary teams to address these complex development challenges through scaled programs, often aimed at understanding and changing behavior for large-scale public health benefit.

Steve was previously Senior Director with Ipsos where he led a global team focused on market research supporting decision-making needs of NGOs, International Development Organizations and government Ministries in healthcare development programs.

Steve previously ran Ipsos Healthcare's Central Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region, global emerging markets and global client accounts. Prior to joining Ipsos, Steve managed client accounts, ran global operations and the North American analytics team at TNS Healthcare. Steve holds an MBA from Pennsylvania State University and a BA in Liberal Arts, focused in philosophy.

Sessions:

Els Molenaar

Owner, Blooming-org, Netherlands

Until recently Els Molenaar was CEO of Blauw Research, where she had worked since 2012. She has a lot of experience in market research, both on the client side (Philips and Center Parcs Europe) and on the agency side (Millward Brown and Blauw Research). She strongly believes that the essence of market research is to listen closely to stakeholders. Companies can only stay successful if they are really connected to their customers and to their employees. Els believes in the power of enthusiasm, because sustainable change is more likely to happen when we focus on the positive instead of the negative. She is an active blogger on Customer Experience Management, NPS, Flow and Agile. She was a member of the MOA Award jury (yearly award for best researcher on client side) until 2016 and member of the board of the RKG (ISO-certified agencies). In 2017 Els starts a new initiative. Her ambition is to align the internal of an organisation with the external challenges that (market research) organisations face.In her spare time she likes skiing and sailing, going to the movies and spending time with family and friends over a fine meal.

Sessions:

Giulia Gasperi

Research Director, InSites Consulting, United States

A Glomad at heart, Giulia speaks 5 languages and has had the opportunity to call 9 countries across 4 continents her home.

Giulia specializes in strategy, branding, and next-gen fusion research across quantitative, qualitative and social listening methodologies. Having developed specific expertise in the space of co-creative innovation projects involving consumers, clients and advertising agencies, she channels her passion for all things social, digital and future-forward into bootstrap consulting for startups and small businesses. Her team was awarded first place in ESOMAR's first-ever Research Rally, a one-day hackathon helping startups looking to solve key business challenges through research & strategic advice.

With a knack for storytelling and content creation, she enjoys writing and speaking for work and fun. Ideally both. Next to blogging for ESOMAR, How Cool Brands Stay Hot and InSites Consulting, she was published by the Advertising Research Foundation and has presented her work across stages in the US, including the ARF and IIeX as well as for C-level audiences around the world.

Today, she is Research Director at InSites Consulting NYC where, together with a smart team of consultants, programmers and project managers, she helps global brands unlock extraordinary insights from everyday consumer realities while thinking about what comes after what comes next. She loves to inspire and be inspired by people and brands seeking thought leadership and the Magic of Making It Happen.

Tomorrow, she hopes to become a ballerinastronaut.

Giulia is based in New York City, where she shadow-boxes and runs or cycles for charity. As part of the Life Is Priceless Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money and awareness in the fight against depression and suicide, Giulia runs the organization's research leg and built the strategic foundation for L.I.F.E., the first kick-starter for mental health.

Sessions:

John Kearon

CEO, System1Group PLC, United Kingdom

John's role in conceiving and leading BrainJuicer Group PLC, now System1 Group PLC, made him Ernst & Young's 'Entrepreneur of the Year', the ARF's Gold Award for Research Innovator and four times winner of 'Most Innovative Market Research Company'. As one client commented, "John's a mix of Richard Branson and Colin Firth, with a healthy dose of Monty Python thrown in". A popular speaker at industry events and winner of many awards, including two ESOMAR prizes.

Mark Riseley

Measurement Partner Lead, EMEA, Facebook, United Kingdom

Mark Riseley is a Measurement Partner Lead in Facebook's Marketing Science R&D team, working with the research industry to develop people-based advertising effectiveness measurement solutions. Prior to Facebook, Mark worked in product management at insights start-up Dalia Research, built data visualization web applications, delivered insights & effectiveness research at Google, and worked as an analyst at syndicated research provider Gartner, Inc. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Modern & Medieval Languages from Emmanuel College, Cambridge University.

Mark is based in London, and outside of work he enjoys cycling, cooking, and has recently rediscovered his love of Lego, thanks to his two young children.

Sessions:

Pieter Paul Verheggen

CEO, Motivaction International, Netherlands

Pieter Paul Verheggen studied Psychology at the University of Amsterdam. He then spend one year in France honing his managerial and organisational skills in one of the well known theatres of Paris. On returning to The Netherlands he joined Motivaction, one of the leading Dutch agencies for marketing research. Since 2009 Pieter Paul has held the position of CEO at Motivaction. With over 20 years experience in market research, Pieter Paul now specialises in FMCG, B2B (IT and finance) and Healthcare. He is seen as a trusted advisor in the areas of new product development, communication, positioning and branding studies.

Due to his 'getting things done' mentality he was offered the position of Chairman of the Dutch Market Research Association (MOA) which he held for 12 years. Following his tenure in this position he was honoured with a special MOAward for his valuable contribution. Since January 2015 Pieter Paul has been installed as council member of the ESOMAR board, the international market research organisation.

Pieter Paul has published some well respected books related to Etnomarketing and the future of marketing research. He lectures market research at MBA courses at the Maastricht School of Management and is further known as member of the jury for the Dutch Commercial Director of the Year Award.

Ria Dierikx

Ria Dierikx leads the Global Marketing Intelligence team in the Business Group Health & Wellness of Philips. Together with her team, she partners with the Oral Health Care and Mother & Childcare business to provide consumer and market insights for strategy, innovation and marketing activation. The focus is on global consumer insights, consumer decision journey understanding, new proposition development, marketing analytics, and brand tracking. Ria studied Economic Psychology and spent most of her career in international market research. She started at Motivaction in Amsterdam, followed by a research management function in the automotive industry at the European Headquarters of Nissan Motor Company. Ria joined Philips in 2000, and has taken on various roles since market intelligence director for Consumer Electronics, Consumer Lifestyle and Domestic Appliances and as of 2016 Health & Wellness global marketing intelligence lead. Driving consumer centricity in innovation for durable product categories has been an important theme throughout her career.

Sessions:

Till Winkler

Senior Research Manager, SKOPOS, Germany

Till Winkler majored in Psychology and in 2011 started working at SKOPOS, an international agency which focuses on digital methods and behavioral analysis of user experiences. When entering the company he started building up the UX Research unit, which has grown into one of the key players on the German market when it comes to UX Research. At 29 years old he is a certified UX Researcher and responsible for the group's own UX Research unit and regularly speaks on UX insights, innovative methods as well as basic research principles.

Sessions:

Adam Riley

Director, Decision Architects, United Kingdom

Adam Riley is a Director of Decision Architects – a marketing intelligence consultancy. Adam’s career spans customer insight, marketing strategy and consultancy. Adam was formerly a senior consultant in the marketing strategy practice of Monitor Company Europe, a Global Marketing Strategist in the Chairman's Office of Samsung Corporation in South Korea, and Group Head for International Research at IPSOS UK. He holds a first class honours degree, a marketing Masters and an MBA from The London Business School.

Alex Hunt

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Alexander Skorka

Managing Director, Dapresy, Germany

Alexander is highly experienced in the market research industry and is an expert in information visualization and delivery. He has a passion for showing customers how they can maximize the benefits of Dapresy's product portfolio and how they can take full advantage of extracted insights. Alexander has been working with Dapresy since 2014, and continues to provide outstanding intuition and knowledge of the growing industry of online dashboards and reporting. His previous work as TNS Managing Director for visual communication, data visualization, and presentation design brings tremendous value to the vision and mission of Dapresy.

Alexandra Chirilov

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Alexis Nestour

Senior Research Advisor, Save the Children, United Kingdom

Alexis is Senior Research Advisor at Save the Children UK in the Advocacy Division where he works on advocating for better policies for children around the world. He is particularly interested in working with and for marginalized populations on issues such as access to health, education and child protection. Alexis mainly works on secondary data for the organisation's global advocacy or support Save the Children country offices in their research. He is a development economist and a quantitative researcher specialized in the analysis of survey data and he is interested in generating evidence to inform policies. He is also interested in policies and systems to produce better data in developing countries to make sure that governments are accountable. Most of Alexis professional experience in the development sector has taken place in African countries and he has notably lived and worked in Senegal and Benin.

Anton Kozka

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Bram Jonkheer

Managing Partner, Blauw Research, Netherlands

Bram Jonkheer joined Blauw Research in 1998 and became a partner in 2006. His job is, apart from being account manager for a couple of major clients, to translate new scientific insights and technological opportunities into new research instruments that help his clients to be more successful. Some of his achievements, to name a few, are, introducing the first online conjoint simulator in the world (2000), setting up an online community avant la lettre in 2001 and developing a global sponsoring effectiveness methodology.

Carlos Velasco

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Caroline Bates

Board Director, Chime Insight & Engagement, United Kingdom

Caroline Bates is a seasoned client-side marketer and insight professional and a Board Director for Chime Insight & Engagement. Caroline’s previous positions include roles at Telefonica O2, where she was most recently Head of Brand and Marketing Strategy. Before this, she took responsibility for the marketing service team within the Post Office, where she created the brand platform and communications approach for the People’s Post Office. Her expertise also extends to major agency-side roles including director positions at both Illuminas and Hall & Partners Group. Caroline studied Business Management at King’s College in London.

Dave Carruthers

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David Smith

Director, DVL Smith, United Kingdom

David is a former Vice President of ESOMAR. David was the founder of DVL Smith Ltd, an Insight and Skills Development Consultancy, based in London. He is also a Professor at the University of Hertfordshire Business School. David has over 30 years experience, working around the world, on a wide range of marketing intelligence assignments. He is holder of the John Downham Award for Excellence in Market Research. David is particularly interested in evidence based decision-making. He has written several books and papers on this subject. He is currently developing a range of online training tools to help with skills development in regard to insight generation and the communication of insights through storytelling techniques.

Fabian Buder

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Ferdinand Goetzen

Lead Speaker & Growth Trainer, Growth Tribe, Netherlands

Ferdinand Goetzen is currently working as lead speaker & trainer at Amsterdam and UK based Growth Tribe, Europe's 1st Growth Hacking Academy. An expert in all things growth - with a particular passion for engineered marketing, virality and SEO - Ferdinand has helped grow a number of ventures such as ING, Pipedrive and KLM.

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Finn Raben

Director General, ESOMAR, Netherlands

Finn Raben is a "third culture child" who was born in the Far East and grew up in Europe and the Middle East. He went to university in the Netherlands and Ireland, is an Honours graduate in Languages, with Post-Graduate degrees in Business Administration & Marketing Management and speaks four languages fluently.

He has spent most of his working career in Market Research, and prior to joining ESOMAR, had worked at Millward Brown IMS in Dublin, AC Nielsen, TNS and most recently at Synovate.

Finn is a passionate fan and advocate for the research community in all its guises - analytics, research, insight and consultancy - and works very closely with the ESOMAR Council to ensure our Society is "fit for purpose" for both the current, and next, generation of researchers.....#IAMAPROUDMARKETRESEARCHER

Finn is an ex Officio Director of MRII, the online educational institute partnered with the University of Georgia (USA); he serves as an external examiner at the International School of Management in Avans University (Breda, NL) and has recently been invited to join the advisory board for the Master’s of Marketing Research programme at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Flora Somogyi

Consultant, Big Sofa, United Kingdom

Flora joined Big Sofa in November 2016, having previously worked in social and market research as a junior researcher. She brought her love of insight and storytelling to the team. Last year, Flora was a postgraduate student at University College London and gained practical experiences while conducted research on a range of topics using qualitative and quantitative methods from ethnography to statistical analysis. She was also a co-author of the book on innovative solutions to urban housing challenges.

Geoff Lowe

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Georgina Day

Impact and Communications Manager, StreetInvest, United Kingdom

Georgina joined StreetInvest in 2016, after six years in advertising and CSR communications, working on household brands including Dove, Ford, Virgin Media and Amnesty International. She made the move into the charity sector to see how she could apply her experience to driving positive social change. Georgina combines analysis, strategic communications thinking and creative execution, to tell meaningful stories about StreetInvest's impact and to build the organisation's profile.

Graeme Newell

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Hannah Surabhi

Marketing and Communications Director, My Choices Foundation, India

Hannah has been leading the Marketing and Communications strategy of My Choices Foundation (MCF) since 2013. Under her leadership, MCF has grown from a fledgling start-up NGO to an international cause leader - winning two awards for its viral digital campaigns, and joining the pioneers of virtual reality creating the world's first VR documentary on sex-trafficking. Hannah is MCF's communications 'Guru' responsible for projects ranging from creation of grassroots toolkits (for semi-literate rural families) in rural India to producing high end national campaigns.

Iris van Loon

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Jackie Lorch

VP, SSI, United States

Born and raised in Bucks, England, I’ve made my home in the New York area for over 30 years. I started my career in book publishing in London and New York, but my entire research career has been spent at one company, SSI, (Survey Sampling International.) It’s unusual these days to stay at one company for so long – 24 years to be exact – but changes at SSI have reflected many of the changes in our industry over the years, so I often feel I’ve worked for several different companies in that time. When I joined SSI we only did business in the US out of one office – and sold just one thing: telephone sample. Now I work with colleagues across the globe and see the changes in our industry reflected in my work every day: globalization, the power of new technology, the recognition that people now choose to give us their opinion on their terms, not ours, and the myriad techniques we can use to gain meaningful insights about people and their behaviors – to name just a few. I love the mix of curiosity, creativity and dedication to the science of research that I find among research colleagues at SSI and throughout our industry. The joy of getting our hands in the data and seeing a story emerge from the numbers is one of those pure pleasures researchers rarely tire of however many times we witness it. This is a truly exciting time to be in our industry. Because we researchers understand data, how to evaluate it and how to understand the story it tells, our skills are critical to the businesses of the future. The challenge is to make ourselves heard and fully recognized for all that we can offer. In such a fast-changing environment for our industry, one of the best things about ESOMAR membership is the association’s devotion to sharing knowledge in multiple ways, whether via live streaming of events, local Best of ESOMAR gatherings, Research World magazine, Future Talent programs and more. And ESOMAR delivers a global perspective that is unique among our industry associations. I look forward to meeting and hearing your thoughts on how your ESOMAR membership can be of even more value to you in your work and help you grow and develop in your research career. Best regards,

Jean-Philippe Lebudel

Sessions:

Jim Bechtold

Co-Executive Director, Association for National Advertising, United States

Jim is the co-Executive Director of the ANA's #SeeHer movement. He is the co-designer of the Gender Equality Measure (GEM) as well as Brand Fit - tools developed to improve advertising and media ROI via the elimination of gender bias. Jim has been a leader in the family entertainment industry. He co-founded Flashlight Entertainment to support Walmart and P&G's programming initiatives. He produced top movies: The Watson Go to Birmingham, Return to Nims Island, and Dear Dumb Diary. Jim was co-leader on multiple new ventures focusing on internet/OTT entertainment, TV series and music concerts. Jim held executive positions at P&G where he was VP/GM of multiple organizations (North America Marketing, Strategy and Planning) and P&L business units (Baby, Family and Senior Care in Asia).

Sessions:

Jocelyn Rout

Social Research Agency - Executive Director, Colmar Brunton, New Zealand

Driven by a passionate belief in using research and evaluation to help achieve social goals, Jocelyn heads Colmar Brunton's Social Research Agency in New Zealand. With more than 20 years working in the research industry, Jocelyn consults with a wide range of public sector organisations, and has particular expertise in behavioural change research and tackling sensitive topics. She has won a number of awards for her work in helping clients deliver desired outcomes including the highest accolade (the Supreme award) at the 2016 Research Association of New Zealand's effectiveness awards.

Jocelyn Simon

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Joel Klein

Chairman / CEO, Advertising Benchmark Index, United States

JJ began as a project director for Simmons Market Research Bureau, rising to EVP. He designed and developed the "Study of Selective Markets" and was Director of the "Simmons Local Index". He created the first on-line interactive data analysis and delivery system. JJ formed Three Sigma and as COO created their "Syndicated Study of Major Markets" which became the Scarborough Report, the syndicated newspaper program which continues today. JJ joined Audits & Surveys as a Director and principal. After its sale, he became Executive Director of Roper Starch. He is a member of the American Marketing Association, ESOMAR, and a Board member of The Research Group.

Kevin Gentle

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Kishore Krishna

Senior Market Research / Advanced Analytics Expert, Microsoft, United States

Kishore Krishna is a Director of Research in the Marketing Organization at Microsoft. His experience spans Customer Insights, Advanced Analytics, Data Mining, Customer Experience and Satisfaction and Social Listening. He leads a team of researchers and data scientists working on these topics for the Customer and Market Research group located in Redmond, WA. He has more than 15 years of experience across the Technology, Healthcare and Consumer Goods industries. He holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Texas, Austin and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His most recent publication is? Does TV Still Matter? Accounting for Paid and Earned Media Impact, Shortlisted for the WARC Connection Prize Strategy, 2015.

Mathieu Trepanier

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Michele Garner

Data and Applied Scientist, Customer & Market Research Team, Microsoft, United States

Michele Garner is Senior Data and Applied Scientist in Microsoft's Customer and Market Research Group located in Redmond, WA. She is passionate about the confluence of market research and machine learning and is fascinated by consumers' online purchase journey (that's when she is not frustrated by the lack of single-source data on online purchase journeys). She has worked in the technology and retail industries at such companies as Starbucks and T-Mobile focused on customer insights, shopper insights, and pricing. She holds an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Management in Arizona and a B.A. in International and Spanish Studies from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

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Nicola Barrett

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Niels Schillewaert

ESOMAR President / Managing Partner USA and co-founder, InSites Consulting, United States

Prof. Dr. Niels Schillewaert is Professor of Marketing at the Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School and Managing Partner and Director of ForwaR&D Lab at InSites Consulting, a full service online market research company. He has been an ESOMAR member since 2006 and recently served as the ESOMAR Belgian Representative for two years.

Niels holds a Masters in Marketing and Ph.D. in Applied Economics and serves as an ISBM Research fellow at Penn State University. He was awarded for his research several times and has been published at ESOMAR as well as in leading scientific journals such as The Journal of Marketing, The International Journal of Research in Marketing, Journal of Services Research, Industrial Marketing Management, The Journal of Business Research, The Journal of the Market Research Society and Information & Management.

Patricia Dominguez

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Patrick Fagan

Behavioural Scientist, CrowdEmotion, United Kingdom

I am a consumer psychologist who takes academic research and uses it for business results - I turn mind into money. Academically, I am a Lecturer in Consumer Psychology and an Associate Lecturer in Consumer Behaviour at UAL and Goldsmiths respectively; also, I have published papers on topics from price psychology to Facebook psychology. I am currently Head of Team BrainBox at CrowdEmotion. Independently, I have consulted and run experiments for brands like eBay, Vodafone and Radisson Blu. My booked, #Hooked: Why cute sells... and other marketing magic we just can't resist, is out now with Pearson.

Pernille Kok-Jensen

Sessions:

Peter Koijen

Owner, In2motivation, Netherlands

Peter Koijen is leading expert and motivational speaker on leadership and emotions. He is owner of one of Europe's leading training companies in2motivation. And he has trained and coached many business leaders for leading international companies.

Sessions:

Preriit Souda

Sessions:

Raelene Martin

Policy Executive, ICC, France

Raelene Martin manages ICC's Marketing and Advertising Commission, an international body of executive level experts that craft policy and business practice tools, including self-regulatory guidance that forms the foundation for most national and sector self-regulation. Ms Martin is also responsible for ICC's Commission on Taxation that analyses developments in international tax policy and legislation and puts forward business views on government and intergovernmental projects affecting taxation. The Commission also works closely with OECD, UN and G20 to eliminate tax obstacles to crossborder trade and investment.

Prior to joining ICC in 2009 in a supportive role for the Commission on Marketing and Advertising and the Commission on Commercial Law and Practice, Ms Martin worked for a Zimbabwean law firm, Coghlan, Welsh & Guest, and later joined Colcom Foods Limited where she moved through evolving roles, eventually managing their marketing portfolio for over four years.

Ms Martin studied International Commerce with specialization in Marketing at the University of South Africa.

Sessions:

Renuka Iyer

Senior Market Research Manager, Microsoft, United States

Renuka has over 20 years of experience in market research and has been a Senior research manager in Microsoft’s centralized Customer and Marketing Research (CMR) group since 2004. During this time, she has worked with various teams within Microsoft to support product launches, strategies and corporate initiatives through primary and syndicated research. Prior to joining Microsoft, Renuka was a research manager at Unilever, India and managed retail and household trackers for most of their product categories.

Sjoerd Koornstra

Sessions:

Sonia Whitehead

Head of Research, BBC Media Action, United Kingdom

Sonia Whitehead is the Head of Research at BBC Media Action, the international charity of the BBC that uses media to inform, connect and empower people around the world. She has worked there for 11 years and has specialised in conducting media research to develop content and evaluate its impact. This work has ranged from understanding people’s perceptions of climate change across Asia and exploring gender related issues with people living in conflict in Syria, Afghanistan, Darfur and Somalia. Before that Sonia worked in market research both in the UK and India.

Vanessa refuses to stand still. A person that believes tomorrow will be better than today because it is within our control to make it happen. She is full of curiosity and is not asking "why?" but "why not?" as she seeks to uncover insight that has true impact for the businesses she works with. Currently Vanessa is the General Manager for the Women's Category at Nike Japan and is responsible empowering Women in Japan by finding the intersection of Sport, Women and Japan in a meaningful and inspirational way that will drive the business and brand in a positive way.

Vanessa has over 20 years experience in researching and understanding the consumer. Prior to Nike, Vanessa worked at Coca-Cola Japan as Vice President of Strategy and Insight overseeing the end to end research process from future trends, to consumer behavior to financial ROI of Innovation and Marketing investments for marketing teams, sales teams and senior leadership.

She has a reputation for being visionary in the field of strategy and insights and unafraid of exploring the newer methodologies in an effort to be ever better. Vanessa has a strong passion for the end to end process of research. From Discovery Research (ethnographic, trend immersions, semiotics, segmentation) through to ROI related modelling.

A native New Zealander, Vanessa has lived in Japan for over 20 years. A Mother of two, marathon and breast cancer awareness charity runner, she personally and professionally works with the ethos that there is always a way to get things done!!! Every day she is trying to answer the questions of "WHAT is happening?-SO WHAT does this mean?- NOW WHAT am I going to do about it?".

Ria Dierikx leads the Global Marketing Intelligence team in the Business Group Health & Wellness of Philips. Together with her team, she partners with the Oral Health Care and Mother & Childcare business to provide consumer and market insights for strategy, innovation and marketing activation. The focus is on global consumer insights, consumer decision journey understanding, new proposition development, marketing analytics, and brand tracking. Ria studied Economic Psychology and spent most of her career in international market research. She started at Motivaction in Amsterdam, followed by a research management function in the automotive industry at the European Headquarters of Nissan Motor Company. Ria joined Philips in 2000, and has taken on various roles since market intelligence director for Consumer Electronics, Consumer Lifestyle and Domestic Appliances and as of 2016 Health & Wellness global marketing intelligence lead. Driving consumer centricity in innovation for durable product categories has been an important theme throughout her career.

A Glomad at heart, Giulia speaks 5 languages and has had the opportunity to call 9 countries across 4 continents her home.

Giulia specializes in strategy, branding, and next-gen fusion research across quantitative, qualitative and social listening methodologies. Having developed specific expertise in the space of co-creative innovation projects involving consumers, clients and advertising agencies, she channels her passion for all things social, digital and future-forward into bootstrap consulting for startups and small businesses. Her team was awarded first place in ESOMAR's first-ever Research Rally, a one-day hackathon helping startups looking to solve key business challenges through research & strategic advice.

With a knack for storytelling and content creation, she enjoys writing and speaking for work and fun. Ideally both. Next to blogging for ESOMAR, How Cool Brands Stay Hot and InSites Consulting, she was published by the Advertising Research Foundation and has presented her work across stages in the US, including the ARF and IIeX as well as for C-level audiences around the world.

Today, she is Research Director at InSites Consulting NYC where, together with a smart team of consultants, programmers and project managers, she helps global brands unlock extraordinary insights from everyday consumer realities while thinking about what comes after what comes next. She loves to inspire and be inspired by people and brands seeking thought leadership and the Magic of Making It Happen.

Tomorrow, she hopes to become a ballerinastronaut.

Giulia is based in New York City, where she shadow-boxes and runs or cycles for charity. As part of the Life Is Priceless Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money and awareness in the fight against depression and suicide, Giulia runs the organization's research leg and built the strategic foundation for L.I.F.E., the first kick-starter for mental health.

John's role in conceiving and leading BrainJuicer Group PLC, now System1 Group PLC, made him Ernst & Young's 'Entrepreneur of the Year', the ARF's Gold Award for Research Innovator and four times winner of 'Most Innovative Market Research Company'. As one client commented, "John's a mix of Richard Branson and Colin Firth, with a healthy dose of Monty Python thrown in". A popular speaker at industry events and winner of many awards, including two ESOMAR prizes.

Until recently Els Molenaar was CEO of Blauw Research, where she had worked since 2012. She has a lot of experience in market research, both on the client side (Philips and Center Parcs Europe) and on the agency side (Millward Brown and Blauw Research). She strongly believes that the essence of market research is to listen closely to stakeholders. Companies can only stay successful if they are really connected to their customers and to their employees. Els believes in the power of enthusiasm, because sustainable change is more likely to happen when we focus on the positive instead of the negative. She is an active blogger on Customer Experience Management, NPS, Flow and Agile. She was a member of the MOA Award jury (yearly award for best researcher on client side) until 2016 and member of the board of the RKG (ISO-certified agencies). In 2017 Els starts a new initiative. Her ambition is to align the internal of an organisation with the external challenges that (market research) organisations face.In her spare time she likes skiing and sailing, going to the movies and spending time with family and friends over a fine meal.

Mark Riseley is a Measurement Partner Lead in Facebook's Marketing Science R&D team, working with the research industry to develop people-based advertising effectiveness measurement solutions. Prior to Facebook, Mark worked in product management at insights start-up Dalia Research, built data visualization web applications, delivered insights & effectiveness research at Google, and worked as an analyst at syndicated research provider Gartner, Inc. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Modern & Medieval Languages from Emmanuel College, Cambridge University.

Mark is based in London, and outside of work he enjoys cycling, cooking, and has recently rediscovered his love of Lego, thanks to his two young children.

Pieter Paul Verheggen studied Psychology at the University of Amsterdam. He then spend one year in France honing his managerial and organisational skills in one of the well known theatres of Paris. On returning to The Netherlands he joined Motivaction, one of the leading Dutch agencies for marketing research. Since 2009 Pieter Paul has held the position of CEO at Motivaction. With over 20 years experience in market research, Pieter Paul now specialises in FMCG, B2B (IT and finance) and Healthcare. He is seen as a trusted advisor in the areas of new product development, communication, positioning and branding studies.

Due to his 'getting things done' mentality he was offered the position of Chairman of the Dutch Market Research Association (MOA) which he held for 12 years. Following his tenure in this position he was honoured with a special MOAward for his valuable contribution. Since January 2015 Pieter Paul has been installed as council member of the ESOMAR board, the international market research organisation.

Pieter Paul has published some well respected books related to Etnomarketing and the future of marketing research. He lectures market research at MBA courses at the Maastricht School of Management and is further known as member of the jury for the Dutch Commercial Director of the Year Award.

Till Winkler majored in Psychology and in 2011 started working at SKOPOS, an international agency which focuses on digital methods and behavioral analysis of user experiences. When entering the company he started building up the UX Research unit, which has grown into one of the key players on the German market when it comes to UX Research. At 29 years old he is a certified UX Researcher and responsible for the group's own UX Research unit and regularly speaks on UX insights, innovative methods as well as basic research principles.